Economy & Growth

Maldives woos more Sri Lankans for its premium tuna products

The Maldives, synonymous with its dried fish, yesterday launched a milestone initiative with its giant MIFCO launching premium tuna products in Sri Lanka in partnership with Development Interplan Ceylon Ltd., in the presence of the visiting President Mohamed Muizzu as the Chief Guest.

The initiative saw the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd., (MIFCO) launching premium tuna brand, Fasmeeru, in Sri Lanka, formalising an exclusive distribution partnership with DICL.

Apart from Maldives President Muizzu, its Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Minister Ahmed Shiyam, MIFCO CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Anas, Sri Lanka’s Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe and Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar were present.

This milestone marks the formal entry of the Maldives’ premium tuna products into the Sri Lankan market, with DICL serving as the exclusive local representative and distribution partner for Fasmeeru. Produced to global standards, canned and packaged tuna products and other Maldivian delicacies will be available for consumers in Sri Lanka.

Through this collaboration, DICL will drive market penetration within Sri Lanka’s HORECA sector, leveraging its well-established supply chain and distribution network. The company also plans to expand consumer accessibility through its upcoming retail and wholesale platform, Zefro, ensuring wider availability of premium, sustainably sourced seafood across the country.

Maldives Minister Shiyam emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in sustainable fisheries and trade.

“This moment marks more than the launch of Fasmeeru in Sri Lanka. It marks the strengthening of a bridge between the Maldives and one of our closest neighbours in the Indian Ocean, built upon shared culture, commerce, and generations of goodwill. This year, our two countries commemorate 60 years of formal diplomatic relations — a milestone that reflects the durability of this partnership. Long before this occasion, Maldivian fisheries products, especially tuna, have already found a home in the hearts and households of Sri Lanka,” he added.

The Minister emphasised that via the launch MIFCO builds on the long-standing connection by making trusted Maldivian products more accessible to consumers across Sri Lanka, including the significant Maldivian community living here.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said Sri Lanka and the Maldives share a long-lasting and close relationship built on mutual respect, shared heritage, and strong people-to-people ties. He described the launch as yet another meaningful step in deepening that relationship, particularly in the areas of trade, fisheries, and food security.

“The fisheries sector holds special significance in both our economies. It supports livelihoods, ensures nutrition, and contributes significantly to export earnings. The Maldives is renowned globally for its sustainable and high-quality fisheries, with a strong reputation for excellence. Sri Lanka, with its strategic location and growing consumer market, provides an ideal platform for such premium products,” Samarasinghe added.

“As a Government, we remain committed to attracting investment, supporting trade partnerships, and ensuring that businesses can thrive in a transparent and enabling environment. We believe that initiatives like this will contribute not only to economic growth but also to strengthening food supply chains and offering high-quality products to our consumers,” he emphasised.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, regional cooperation is more important than ever. By working together, countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives can unlock new opportunities, build resilient industries, and ensure shared prosperity,” he added.

The ceremonial highlight featured a traditional Maldivian Malaafaiy procession accompanied by a vibrant Bodu Beru cultural performance, symbolising heritage and unity. The unveiling was marked by the presentation of the Fasmeeru Recipe Book, symbolising the brand’s formal entry into Sri Lanka, followed by the reveal of its premium product range.

Their presence underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening food security, enhancing trade diversification, and deepening regional partnerships.

MIFCO Chief Anas said the launch represents the realisation of a long-awaited vision, one that strengthens the historic and natural bond between the Maldives and Sri Lanka as two island nations connected by the Indian Ocean.

“Sri Lanka is a valued and important market for us, one with a strong culinary tradition and a growing demand for trusted, high-quality food products. We are confident that Fasmeeru products will earn their place in households across the country,” he added.

Speaking at the event, DICL CEO Zuraish Hashim highlighted that the launch represents more than a brand introduction—it reflects a legacy built over seven decades by the Malship Group and its subsidiary DICL in connecting markets and enabling trade across the region.

Over the years, this journey has included longstanding engagements with key Maldivian institutions such as the Maldives National Trading Company and the Maldivian National Shipping Line. The partnership with MIFCO marks the continuation of this enduring relationship—one built on trust, strengthened through collaboration, and driven by a shared commitment to growth and excellence.

Hashim reaffirmed DICL’s commitment to positioning Fasmeeru as a leading premium seafood brand in Sri Lanka, supported by a sustainable and scalable distribution model.

Guests were subsequently invited to a product showcase and curated culinary presentation, featuring signature dishes crafted using Fasmeeru products by renowned Executive Chef Prasath Vitharanage.

The launch of Fasmeeru represents a significant advancement in Sri Lanka–Maldives trade relations, bringing high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood to Sri Lankan consumers while reinforcing long-standing commercial partnerships between leading institutions of both countries.

Source - Dailyft